Silence in my Soul

The Speech of Elihu

32 So the three men stopped answering Job, because he thought he was right. 

Lord, give me wisdom to reach the unreachable.  Make me teachable.

2 But Elihu the Buzite was very angry with Job. That’s because Job said he himself was right instead of God. 

Lord, reveal my arrogance and remove it  from me. 

Elihu was the son of Barakel. He was from the family of Ram. 

Lord, help me control my anger unless it's for the right reasons.

May I never think myself wiser than you. 

You are right and I am not.  No matter what my situation tells me. 

    

3 Elihu was also very angry with Job’s three friends. 

They hadn’t found any way to prove that Job was wrong. But they still said he was guilty. 

4 Elihu had waited before he spoke to Job. 

That’s because the others were older than he was. 

5 But he saw that the three men didn’t have anything more to say. So he was very angry.

Lord, You made my mouth. Surely, you can speak through it. 

6 Elihu the Buzite, the son of Barakel, said,

“I’m young, and you are old.
    So I was afraid to tell you what I know.

Lord, I will fearlessly speak your words through me. 

7 I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak first.
    Those who have lived for many years
    should teach people how to be wise.’

Lord, obedience (or disobedience) to you accumulates within me if I pay attention. 

    

8 

But the spirit in people gives them understanding.
    The breath of the Mighty One gives them wisdom.

God, breath your spirit within me.  Give me the wisdom to draw it out. 

9 Older people aren’t the only ones who are wise.
    They aren’t the only ones who understand what is right.

Lord, what is your specific will for me?  

10 “So I’m saying you should listen to me.
    I’ll tell you what I know.
11 I waited while you men spoke.
    I listened to your reasoning.
While you were searching for words,
12     I paid careful attention to you.
But not one of you has proved that Job is wrong.

Lord, I will be a quick and attentive listener.  Slow and strategic in my speaking, and difficult to be made angry. (James 1:19)   

    None of you has answered his arguments.

Lord, help me to rebut those who speak against you.  

13 Don’t claim, ‘We have enough wisdom to answer Job.’
    Let God, not a mere man, prove that he’s wrong.
14 Job hasn’t directed his words against me.
    I won’t answer him with your arguments.

Lord, let the wise speak into my life.  Give me the wisdom to identify them. 

15 “Job, these men are afraid.
    They don’t have anything else to say.
    They’ve run out of words.
16 Do I have to keep on waiting, now that they are silent?

Lord, keep me from speaking meaningless words.

Lord, please speak into my soul, and keep stupidity far from me. 

    They are just standing there with nothing to say.
17 I too have something to say.
    I too will tell what I know.
18 I’m full of words.

    My spirit inside me forces me to speak.
19 Inside I’m like wine that is bottled up.

    I’m like new wineskins ready to burst.

20 I must speak so I can feel better.
    I must open my mouth and reply.

21 I’ll treat everyone the same.
    

I won’t praise anyone without meaning it.
22 

If I weren’t honest when I praised people,
    my Maker would soon take me from this life.

Job 32 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)